Several students signed up to be a part of the chess club that Mrs. Sandness is supervising.
Mrs. Hill directs the show choirs from Sturgis Williams Middle School and Stagebarn Middle School as the sing the National Anthem at the Rush Hockey game.
St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus
Hosts Local Free Throw Championship
The St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus
council is holding their annual “Free Throw Championship”
on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5pm at the Main Street Armory in
Sturgis.
Boys and girls, ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the
local level of competition and will compete in their
respective age divisions. All participants are required to
furnish proof of age and written parental consent.
Participants shoot 15 free throws in the local competition
and winners will progress to the district and state
competitions.
Hosts Local Free Throw Championship
The St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus
council is holding their annual “Free Throw Championship”
on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 5pm at the Main Street Armory in
Sturgis.
Boys and girls, ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the
local level of competition and will compete in their
respective age divisions. All participants are required to
furnish proof of age and written parental consent.
Participants shoot 15 free throws in the local competition
and winners will progress to the district and state
competitions.
Here at Youth & Family Services, we are gearing up for the 29th Annual Kids Fair! We are currently looking for volunteers and hope that you'll share this information with anyone you think would like to make a difference in a child's life. YFS’ Kids Fair event is a two-day, fun-filled, family-friendly, community event for kids of all ages that features hands-on activities, exciting entertainment, inflatable attractions, educational opportunities, and so much more! Last year, 8,264 individuals enjoyed all that Kids Fair had to offer. It will be held at The Monument in Rapid City from April 11-12, 2026. Please note that volunteers must be 13 years of age or older. Volunteers are needed during the following times:
Saturday, April 11: 8:15 am – 12:15 pm and 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday, April 12: 11:45 am – 4:00 pm
Please visit https://signup.com/go/sZnoAEa to sign up.
Funds raised at Kids Fair allows YFS to provide children in our community with access to educational and recreational programming, nutrition services, health and wellness programming, counseling, advocacy services, and more. Your support will ensure that children and families attending our event will have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Thank you,
Alex Nichols
Saturday, April 11: 8:15 am – 12:15 pm and 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday, April 12: 11:45 am – 4:00 pm
Please visit https://signup.com/go/sZnoAEa to sign up.
Funds raised at Kids Fair allows YFS to provide children in our community with access to educational and recreational programming, nutrition services, health and wellness programming, counseling, advocacy services, and more. Your support will ensure that children and families attending our event will have a safe, fun, and memorable experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.
Thank you,
Alex Nichols
SWMS would like to thank Grace Lutheran Church for their generous donation to our Scooper Closet. Grace Lutheran pastors, Kevin Jensen and Carla Nelson presents a check for $675 to Alicia Harris, ISS Coordinator and responsible for the Scooper Closet on Friday at Sturgis Williams Middle School. (picture at the right )Pioneer photo by Tim Potts
2 Hour Late Start
No School
SWMS will be rewarding students who have Perfect Attendance each month. In order to be eligible, students must be in school every day and not have a single tardy for that month. Tracking for Perfect Attendance will start over at the beginning of each month, making EVERY student eligible every month. School activities do NOT count against the student.
On January 9 SWMS recognized 49 - fifth grade students, 32 - sixth grade students, 18 -seventh grade students, and 26 - eight grade students who had perfect attendance. The SWMS PTSA randomly selected one lucky student from each grade to receive a $5 coupon to the SWMS concession stand that was redeemed immediately. Five other students from each grade selected randomly were given the option to choose a gift card from Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Ranch, the Hotel Sturgis - Coffee Shop, or the Sturgis Community Center. Thank you to Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Ranch, the Sturgis Community Center, The Hotel Sturgis - Coffee Shop, and the SWMS PTSA for sponsoring this event.
On January 9 SWMS recognized 49 - fifth grade students, 32 - sixth grade students, 18 -seventh grade students, and 26 - eight grade students who had perfect attendance. The SWMS PTSA randomly selected one lucky student from each grade to receive a $5 coupon to the SWMS concession stand that was redeemed immediately. Five other students from each grade selected randomly were given the option to choose a gift card from Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Ranch, the Hotel Sturgis - Coffee Shop, or the Sturgis Community Center. Thank you to Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Ranch, the Sturgis Community Center, The Hotel Sturgis - Coffee Shop, and the SWMS PTSA for sponsoring this event.
Consider this your gentle civic heads-up: petitions for school board vacancies for the 2026–27 school year may begin circulating on February 2, 2026, for the June 2, 2026 election.
Available Vacancies
Two (2) four-year terms
One (1) two-year term
The terms of Board members Megan Snyder, Brian Voight, and Thomas Schneller are expiring. As approved by the Board in December, the two seats previously designated as three-year terms will now be elected as four-year terms—because apparently three years wasn’t enough time to master parliamentary procedure.
Candidates must reside within the Meade School District 46-1 boundaries. The election will be held with the regular June primary election.
If you know someone who likes supporting schools, serving the community, and attending meetings that may or may not include snacks, please encourage them to check out the election information on the [http://Thank you for your continued service to students—and for reading this far.]district website.
Available Vacancies
Two (2) four-year terms
One (1) two-year term
The terms of Board members Megan Snyder, Brian Voight, and Thomas Schneller are expiring. As approved by the Board in December, the two seats previously designated as three-year terms will now be elected as four-year terms—because apparently three years wasn’t enough time to master parliamentary procedure.
Candidates must reside within the Meade School District 46-1 boundaries. The election will be held with the regular June primary election.
If you know someone who likes supporting schools, serving the community, and attending meetings that may or may not include snacks, please encourage them to check out the election information on the [http://Thank you for your continued service to students—and for reading this far.]district website.
The Meade School District is now accepting nominations for the 2026–27 Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.
We encourage staff, parents, students, and community members to take this opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond in service to the district.
Teacher of the Year Nomination Form
Support Staff of the Year Nomination Form
All completed nomination forms must be submitted to the nominee’s building principal/district committee member no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.
Art Contest
On December 19th, the entire SWMS student body gathered in the commons before school for a festive holiday concert featuring our Choir and Band. Holiday cheer filled the halls as students enjoyed music on their final day before winter break. The band and choir took turns performing seasonal favorites, and the choir even added some jazzy choreography to their set. It was a joyful way to kick off the holiday break!
Mrs. Hill and her 7th and 8th grade choir students helped spread holiday cheer with a visit to the local Senior Center. One group of students assisted by serving food, while another group brought joy to residents through song. The students delivered a wonderful performance that was truly appreciated by everyone in attendance. Thank you to the Senior Center for welcoming us, and thank you to Mrs. Hill for leading yet another meaningful and memorable performance.
The Noetic Learning Math Contest is a national contest. Fall 2025 participant numbers in grade 5 and 6 were:
Grade 5 participants throughout the US = 7, 118
Grade 6 participants throughout the US = 4, 447
43 of 50 states were represented.
Recognition awards were given for:
National Honor Roll—top 10% of the grade; earning medals
National Honorable Mention—top 50% of the grade; earning ribbons
Of note: All SWMS TAG students in grades 5 and 6 earned either a medal or ribbon
GRADE 5
Top 10% (medals) earned by Kyle White and Leo Pyle
Top 50% (ribbons) earned by Knox Clement, James Hollearn, Everytte Lentz, Bridger Wingen, Brantley Richter, Sawyer Sigman, Kirra Barbee, Espyn Droppers, and Blaisely Haugen (absent for picture)
GRADE 6
Top 10% (medal) and top team member score (also a medal) earned by Lincoln Sigman
Top 50% (ribbons) earned by Brennen Aldren, Bryson Potter, Levi Shulaw, Matt Baird, Isabella Pawlowski, Breann Cichosz, Ava Williams, Kenton Grass, Camden Whelchel, and Sadie Red Owl (absent for picture)
Grade 5 participants throughout the US = 7, 118
Grade 6 participants throughout the US = 4, 447
43 of 50 states were represented.
Recognition awards were given for:
National Honor Roll—top 10% of the grade; earning medals
National Honorable Mention—top 50% of the grade; earning ribbons
Of note: All SWMS TAG students in grades 5 and 6 earned either a medal or ribbon
GRADE 5
Top 10% (medals) earned by Kyle White and Leo Pyle
Top 50% (ribbons) earned by Knox Clement, James Hollearn, Everytte Lentz, Bridger Wingen, Brantley Richter, Sawyer Sigman, Kirra Barbee, Espyn Droppers, and Blaisely Haugen (absent for picture)
GRADE 6
Top 10% (medal) and top team member score (also a medal) earned by Lincoln Sigman
Top 50% (ribbons) earned by Brennen Aldren, Bryson Potter, Levi Shulaw, Matt Baird, Isabella Pawlowski, Breann Cichosz, Ava Williams, Kenton Grass, Camden Whelchel, and Sadie Red Owl (absent for picture)
SWMS student council members purchased gifts for 43 SWMS angel tree students. Through a Penny War fundraiser and various concession stand sales student were able to spend just over $3400 to make Christmas a little brighter for these students.
SWMS would like to thank the Sturgis Monument Health nursing department for their generous donation to our SMWS nurse's office. SWMS received blankets, hygiene items, snacks, and food from the Monument nursing department.
SWMS 6th, 7th, and 8th grade FLEX Art students made ornaments for the Sturgis Chamber Christmas tree to promote local businesses. Freakshow Customs wants to make a t-shirt design from their ornament design. This is the 2nd year the art club has taken on this project.
No School
Meade School District 46-1 will have a 2-hour late start today, Friday, Dec 12, 2025. This includes Sturgis Elementary, Sturgis Williams MS, Sturgis Brown HS, Piedmont Valley Elementary, Stagebarn MS, Whitewood Elementary, and the rural schools.
Busses will be running 2 hours later than normal.
Through the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables grant SWMS students had the opportunity to try Pomelos.
